Gastrointestinal Flashcards
What causes woody tongue?
Actinobacillosis
What causes lumpy jaw?
Actinomyces bovis
Where does the abomasum normally sit?
Lower/mid right caudal abdomen
When do most cases of left displace abomasum occur? What may increase risk?
Within a month of parturition with heavy grain diets with low fibre increasing the risk.
What is the salient feature of LDA?
Ping over 9th to 12 rib
How may you correct an LDA?
Rolling
Surgically (good response) - right paralumba fosa ometopexy, left paralumbar fossa omentopexy/abomasopexy, right paramedian abomasopexy
What is the salient features of a right displaced abomasum +/- volvulus
Ping in area just cranial to right paralumbar fossa, about 15-29cm in diameter. Ping area will be much larger with volvulus. Distension of upper right flank, abomasum palpable per rectum.
What biochemical changes may you see in an RDA?
Metabolic alkalosis, hypochloraemia and hypokalalaemia
How may you correct a RDA?
Medical - Spasmolytic drugs and calcium.
Surgical - right flank ometopexy / pyloropexy, paramedian abomasopexy, excess gas removed and abomasum repositioned.
What classes of animals is abomasal ulceration seen in?
High producing dairy cows, feedlot cattle, veal calves, bucker reared calves
Calves on fibre, cows on concentrates
What are the 4 manifestations of abomasal ulceration?
Subclinical
Intraluminal haemorrhage
Perforation and local peritonitis
Perforation with diffuse, septic peritonitis
What causes simple indigestion?
Any sudden dietary changes (or antibiotic administration) that causes an upset in rumen microflora.
What is the difference between primary and secondary bloat?
Primary - lush feed causes froth which traps gas and prevents eructation.
Secondary - Physical or functional defect in eructation of free gas.
How can you treat non life threatening primary bloat?
Drench with anti-foaming agent - pluronic or alcohol ethoxylate-based bloat drench, paraffin, mineral or vegetable oil
How can you treat life threatening primary bloat with mouth breathing, protrusion of tongue and the tendency to lie down?
Emergency rumenotomy
What measures can be taken to help prevent primary bloat?
- Gradually introduce to risky pastures
- Oral admin of: antifoaming agents, detergents and fermentation modifers eg monesin
- Select for bloat safe pastures and bloat tolerant cattle
How may passing a stomach tube help find the cause of bloat?
Tube easily, no gas - frothy bloat
Tube won’t pass - oesophageal obstruction
Tube with difficulty, gas - oesophageal compression/distortion of cardia
Tube easily, gas - hypocalcaemia, ruminal stasis, failure to clear cardia, tetanus, rumenitis, weakened contractions due over-distension of rumen